Fiberboard container



Aug. 15, 1967 P. is. DANIS FIBERBOARD CONTAINER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledMarch 19, 1965 INVENTOR I PfTER a. D

AGE/VT g- 5 1957 P. G. DANIS' 3,335,934

FIBERBOARD CONTAINER Filed March 19, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United StatesPatent 3,335,934 FIBERBOARD CONTAINER Peter G. Danis, Orinda, Calif.,assignor to Crown Zellerbach Corporation, San Francisco, Calif., acorporation of Nevada Filed Mar. 19, 1965, Ser. No. 441,102 6 Claims.(Cl. 22923) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A heavy-duty paper boardcontainer having a body section wrapped around and secured to separateend wall sections. Each end wall section has notches at each corner anda stepped recess extending along its sides and bottom to accommodate theinternal bead formed inwardly of the body section fold lines.

This invention relates to heavy duty, returnable, paperboard containersfor bottled beverages and the like and more particularly to containersof this character formed from a multiplicity of foldable blanks insecured together relation.

Heavy duty, returnable paperboard containers, and more particularlysolid fibreboard containers, have been used for beer or soft drinkbeverages for many years. The so-called Bliss style has been highlysuccessful in this usage. The Bliss style comprises a one-piece bodysection including a bottom panel, opposed side walls on opposite sideedges of the bottom panel, and usually one or more cover panels foldablyconnected to the upper edges of the sidewalls. The end edges of thebottom and side wall panels are provided with relatively short securingflaps which are stitched or otherwise secured to the outer face ofseparate end wall panels. The Bliss container has met with widespreadsuccess, particularly in the brewing industry, because of its economy ofmaterials and noteworthy convenience, durability and strengthproperties.

Numerous variations and modifications of the Bliss style have beendevised and utilized through the years which have afforded integralreinforcement of the end walls and various means for securing andreleasing the cover panels to facilitate opening and closing thecontainer for the loading or withdrawal of the container contents.

In recent years, however, the increasing labor cost in erecting andsecuring together the three discrete blanks of Bliss containers hasfurnished impetus for attempts to automate the erection procedure orresort to other styles of containers that afford somewhat simpliererection procedures. A major difficulty in mechanized erection of solidfibre boxes in general and the Bliss style in particular is that solidfibre lines of scoring tend to roll in the folding thereof resulting inundesirable variation in the container and often causing jam-ups in theassembly apparatus itself or in automated packaging lines. The applicanthas now devised an improved Bliss style container, which while affordingthe previously mentioned advantages, adapts itself to erection onavailable apparatus without substantial modification of the mode ofoperation thereof and more particularly assures uniformity of thefolding of the solid fibre scores and proper angular disposition of theadjacent foldably connected panels in the container construction.Accordingly the applicants container and method of assembly thereofprovides a solid fibre Bliss container construction wherein the end wallsections are of two ply construction characterized by having steppedbottom and side edges providing: outwardly extending inner ply edgesadapted to abutting the body section bottom and side panel inner facesto determine the disposition thereof during folding of said body sectionabout the end wall sections; and a void in the outer surface side andbottom margins for receiving the inwardly extending score line beads ofthe body section end wall securing tabs thus assuring uniform foldingthereof and eliminating undue stress and distortion of the score lineand adjacent tab and panel areas.

It is therefore an object to provide a solid fibreboard Bliss stylecontainer wherein uniform score line folding and proper relativedisposition of the panels are assured.

A further object is to provide a container of the class described whichis particularly adapted to automated setup and assures necessaryuniformity in connection therewith.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a Bliss stylecontainer with reinforced two-ply end walls affording uniqueaccommodation of the inwardly protruding beads of the solid fibre bodysection score lines and thus affording freedom from score line stressand distortion.

Additional and more specific objects and advantages of the inventionwill become apparent from the following description and drawings,wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a body section blank;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of an end wall blank;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the end wall section in a stage offolding thereof during the erection procedure;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the end Wall sections positioned on abody section blank preparatory to the assembly of the container;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view showing a further stage of the assemblywherein the initial attachment of an end securing flap is accomplishedand the body section is being folded about the end wall sections;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view showing a still further stage of assemblywherein the end securing flaps of the body section are beingsuccessively attached to the end wall sections and the completion of thewrap-around folding of the body section is proceeding;

FIGURE 7 shows the completion of the assembly and securing together ofthe body and end wall sections but preparatory to completion of thehinged top closures;

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of the completed container and topclosure thereof;

FIGURE 9 is a cross section through line 99 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 10 is a cross section through line 1010 of FIGURE 5.

In the drawings, the blank-20 constituting the body section of thecontainer is shown in FIGURE 1. The interior surface of the blank isshown wherein the solid fibre lines of scoring are represented by thebeads or female score lines protruding above the blank surfaces. Themale or indented score lines not shown are impressed in respectivealigned relationship in the outer or under surface of the blank. Thebody section comprises an intermediate panel 21 having longitudinal sideedge scores 23 and 24. Flanking panels 25-26 are foldably connected tothe intermediate panel 21 along the said scores 23-24. In the disclosedembodiment of the invention the top edges 27- 28 of the flanking panels2526 are determined by score lines which serves as the hinge connectionof the optional top closure panels 29-30. In the event that symmetricalopposed cover panels are desired as shown, each of the cover panels29-30 is provided with integrally foldably connected end flanges 31 andlongitudinal flanges 32. The longitudinal flanges 32 are provided with afoldably connected reinforcing strip 33 with recessed end edges 34disposed to accommodate the disposition of the ear tabs 35 in theerected condition of the container as will be described hereinafter.Finally, the end edges of the intermediate panel 21 are determined byscore lines 36 which serve as the hinge connection of the end orsecuring tabs 87. The end edges of the flanking panels 25-26 aredetermined by score lines 38 which serve as the hinge connection of theend or securing tabs 39. The end tabs 37 and 38 are separated by slots40 determined by side edges 41 which are preferably angulated to providea miter corner in the erected container.

An end wall section 45 is shown in FIGURE 2. The end wall sectionincludes an inner panel 46 and an outer panel 47 in foldably connectedrelation along top score 48. The inner panel 46 is further determined byvertical side edges 49 and bottom edge 51. The outer panel 47 has sideedges 52 which are inwardly offset from the corresponding edges 49 ofthe inner panel 46. Bottom edge 54 of the outer panel 47 is spaced fromthe top score 48 a distance so that it will be offset from the innerpanel bottom edge 51 similarly to the side edge offsets thus resultingin a marginal recess extending inwardly from the outer major planarsurface of each end wall along the sides and bottom thereof. The bottomcorners of the panels 46-47 are notched at 50. A cover flange slot 56extends from the top score 48 into the adjacent top margins of the innerand outer panels 46-47. In addition, handholes 57 and a pair of spacedapertures 58 are positioned in each of the inner and outer panels 46-47in respective aligned relationship.

The preliminary step of erecting the container is illustrated in FIGURE3 wherein a two ply end wall section 45 is folded about the top score 48whereby the outer panel 47 is secured in flatwise contacting relation tothe inner panel 46 as by adhesive connection indicated by the stippledarea 55.

To initiate the erection of the container from a body section 20 andpair of end wall sections 45, as shown in FIGURE 4, the end wallsections are first positioned with the inner panel side edges 49 inabutting relation with the inner surface of a wall panel 25 in paralleladjacent relation to the end scores 38 thereof with the outer panels 47directed outwardly in relation to the body section 20, as best shown inFIGURE 4. The score lines 38 are formed by utilizing a male scoring barto indent the outer surface of the body section blank 20 and an alignedfemale scoring bar on the inner surface provides the inwardly projectingscore line bead 59, best shown in FIGURE 9. Thus the bead 59 is disposedin the offset determined by the stepped end wall edges 49 and 52.

As the assembly of the container continues, as shown in FIGURE 5, theend securing tab 39 is infoldcd and secured to the outer marginalsurface of the respective outer panels 47. Thus the bead 59 increasinglyprojects inwardly during the folding of the securing tabs 39 and beingin a softened condition consequent to the scoring operation, conformsitself to the void in the stepped offset edge formation of the end wallsection 45 as best shown in FIGURE 10. This accommodation of the bead S9eliminates the usual stress on the outer surface portions of the scoreline 38 and it eliminates score line stress which would tend to causedistortion of the adjacent panels, namely the securing tabs 39 andflanking panel 25, whereby they are disposed in the desired planarmutually right angular relation. This score line bead accommodation alsoavoids undesirable exterior protrusion of the line of fold whichheretofore has often caused undue wear and abrasion at this point.

Continuing with FIGURE 5, there is effected a rotation of the containersections following the securing of the first securing tab 39 whereby thebottom edge 51 of the end Wall section 45 inner panel 46 contacts theinner surface of the body section 20 bottom panel 21 adjacent the endedge score line 36 thereof. This rotation may be accomplished bymechanical means engaging the paired aperture holes 58 to rotate the endsections 45 whereby the body section is successively drawn onto andabout said end sections and the body section score lines preciselyfolded by the successive contacting engagement with the end sectionextending, outermost edges 49 and 51. The bottom panel securing tab 37is then infolded and secured to the exterior surface of the end wallsection outer panel 47 with the consequent score line bead accommodationas before described. It is to be noted at this point that the end wallsection corner notches also accommodate the inward protrusion of thelongitudinal side edge scores 23.

Upon a further rotation of the end wall sections 45 the final flankingpanel 26 is brought into contacting relation with the corresponding edge49 of the end wall sections and the respective securing tabs secured inthe before described manner. Of course, the described rotation of theend wall sections with the consequent wrapping around of the bodysection is merely a convenience for the purpose of the apparatusutilized in the operation whereby only one stitching station isnecessitated. The critical factor is that the body section is foldedabout the end wall sections so that the inner surfaces of the bodysection panels contact and are determined in this position by theabutment with the protruding end Wall section edegs 49 and 51 yet thereis an accommodation in the offset of the outer panel 47 edges 52-54which permits and determines the subsequent folding and securing of thesecuring tabs 37 and 39 without distortion or stress of the containerparts.

FIGURES 7 and 8 show the final stages of assembly of the container andthe completed container wherein the top closure members are assembled bythe folding of the end flanges 31 and longitudinal flanges 32 intodepending relation from the top closure panels 29-30 and finally thereinforcing and rigidifying of the same by the infolding and securing ofthe reinforcing strips 33 to the inner surface of the longitudinalflanges 32 and the attachment of the ear tabs 35 to the marginal endportions of the respective longitudinal flanges 32. In the erectedcondition of the container as shown, the intermediate panel 21 of thebody section blank constitutes the bottom panel of the container and theflanking panels 25-26 constitute the side wall panels of the container.

The applicant thus provides a container formed from multiple blankswherein the inside dimensions of the container are precisely determinedby the folding of the wall section about and in abutting relation withthe extremities of the end wall sections and further provides for theavoidance of any distortion or bulging of the container parts by theaccommodation of the inwardly protruding score line beads.

While the present description sets forth a preferred embodiment of theinvention, it is apparent that various changes may be made in theconstruction without departing from the spirit of the invention. It istherefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in allrespects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being had to theappended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate thescope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A paperboard container comprising a body section and end wallsections, the body section formed from a foldable blank including abottom panel and opposed side wall panels foldably connected thereto,the bottom and side wall panels having end edges defined by lines ofscoring, the lines of scoring having inwardly projecting beads, end tabsfoldably connected by the lines of scoring to the respective ends of thebottom and side wall panels, the body section disposed in foldedrelation about said end wall sections, means for accommodating the bodysection inwardly projecting beads thereby avoiding score line stress anddistortion of the container, said means comprising offset edges in theend wall sections defining voids in the outer marginal surfaces of thesections, the inwardly protruding beads of the body section said linesof scoring confined within the defined end wall section voids.

2. A paperboard container as set forth in claim 1 wherein the bodysection is solid fibreboard and the said lines of scoring include anindented outer surface and the projecting beads on the inner surface inmutual alignment.

3. Apaperboard container as set forth in claim 1 wherein the foldconnections between the bottom panel and side wall panels arecharacterized by inwardly projecting beads, the end wall sections havingnotched corner portions to accommodate the bottom and wall panelconnection beads.

4. A paperboard container comprising a body section formed from afoldable blank and separate end wall sections and means fixedly securingthe body section and end wall sections together, the body sectionincluding a bottom panel and an opposed pair of side wall panelsfoldably connected to respective side edges of the bottom panel with thebottom panel and side wall panels each having end edges determined bylines of scoring, end tabs connected to the bottom and side Wall panelsalong said lines of scoring, the lines of scoring having beadsprotruding inwardly of the container, the end wall sections eachincluding inner and outer panels with side and bottom edges and thepanels being in flatwise, secured together relation with at least theside and bottom edges in stepped, offset relation defining voids in theouter marginal surfaces of the sections, the body section disposed infolded relation about the end wall sections with the edges of the endwall sections inner panels abutting the inner surfaces of the bodysection bottom and side wall panels adjacent and parallel to the endedge lines of scoring thereof and the end tabs in folded disposition andsecured to the outer surface of the respective end section outer panelwith the line of scoring inwardly protruding beads dis-posed within saidvoids whereby score line distension and stress is avoided.

5. A paperboard container comprising a body section formed from afoldable blank and separate end wall sections, said body section havinglines of scoring with inwardly projecting beads in the plane of said endwall sections, the body section disposed in folded relation about saidend sections, means for accommodating the body section inwardlyprojecting beads thereby avoiding score lines stress and distortion ofthe container, said means comprising a marginal recess extendinginwardly from the outer major planar surface of said end wall sectionsdefining voids along the side margins of said end wall sections, thebody section beads disposed within the said voids.

6. The container of claim 1 wherein the marginal recess is of step-likeconfiguration.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,198,293 9/1916 Walter 229232,548,130 4/1951 Stephan 22923 2,823,846 2/1958 George 22923 JOSEPH R.LECLAIR, Primary Examiner.

DONALD F. NORTON, Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No 3 ,335,934 August 15 1967 Peter G. Danis It is hereby certified that errorappears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that thesaid Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 6 line 17 for the claim reference numeral "1" read S Signed andsealed this 16th day of July 1968.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD J. BRENNER Edward M. Fletcher, Jr.

Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer

5. A PAPERBOARD CONTAINER COMPRISING A BODY SECTION FORMED FROM AFOLDABLE BLANK AND SEPARATE END WALL SECTIONS, SAID BODY SECTION HAVINGLINES OF SCORING WITH INWARDLY PROJECTING BEADS IN THE PLANE OF SAID ENDWALL SECTIONS, THE BODY SECTION DISPOSED IN FOLDED RELATION ABOUT SAIDEND SECTIONS, MEANS FOR ACCOMMODATING THE BODY SECTION INWARDLYPROJECTING BEADS THEREBY AVOIDING SCORE LINES STRESS AND DISTORTION OFTHE CONTAINER, SAID MEANS COMPRISING A MARGINAL RECESS EXTENDINGINWARDLY FROM THE OUTER MAJOR PLANAR SURFACE OF SAID END WALL SECTIONSDEFINING VOIDS ALONG THE SIDE MARGINS OF SAID END WALL SECTIONS, THEBODY SECTION BEADS DISPOSED WITHIN THE SAID VOIDS.